Are you familiar with the way the movie "Death Race" starring Jason Statham updated the original? Well, this book reminds me of an update of the movie "Running Man." There are the thematic executioners, the well publicized deaths of those convicted and sent by the Justice Department to serve their sentence within the reality show, and the betting on the outcome of each match-up. There is even the rigging of a trial to send someone into the show that does not belong there.
But the updates make the show seem so much more possible, which makes the whole story frightening on an entirely different level. It's bad enough that those sent to Alcatraz 2.0 are killed off by government sanctioned psychos like Prince Slycer who dresses his victims as Disney princesses before stabbing them, or by Gassy Al in his poison chamber. Now add the modern habit of posting everything to social media, creating memes of it, tagging it and watching it trend, all the while discussing whether the video feed is real or not. (#FakeNews)
The characters themselves are varied and interesting. A teen accused of murdering her stepsister. A fitness nut convicted of killing a client. A premed student who supposedly poisoned his own parents. Everyone has a backstory, as well as the role that has been chosen for them within Alcatraz 2.0 - the moody Brit, the hottie, the young princess, etc.
If you enjoy stories that are uncomfortably close to real life in some ways, while being incredibly imaginative in others - then pick up a copy of #Murdertrending as soon as possible. Highly recommended for YA and older readers. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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